Broken

So I was going to take this opprotunity to expand on some of the issues and thoughts that were brought up in my previous post. Instead, I'll be talking about my hellish experience attempting to interact with different departments at my university.

We've hit the point in development where we can start testing to see if everything works. In order to do this, the team needs some photography equipment with which to get baseline numbers and results. Today I attempted to get my hands on this equipment. This is my story.

I went to the library. A good place to start really. They have cameras and if they didn't have what I needed, well, they specialize in information, so they could send me where I needed to go. Which is exactly what they did. After suggesting that I speak with the Art Department, I made my way to the AJ building, fourth floor. And here is where it all goes downhill.

I explain my need to the secretaries. Simple enough. I'm in need of a gray card and a light meter so that I can continue with my CS work. Immediately they begin telling me how their department won't loan to anyone who isn't an Art major. I had anticipated this. I mean it does make sense. They don't want their equipment getting broken by anyone off the street. On the other hand, don't wew all work for the same institution? An institution who's goal is to help students on their way to academic discovery and success? I eventually wrested a name and a room number of someone to whom I could speak.

Off to 232.

What I find is the most contemptable sad looking woman running the supply closet. I explain to her my need and the goal of my project. Her response? You're not an Art major so I would never loan to you. I ask why not? I am far beyond taking a simple no for an answer in my life. She accuses me of being hostile and tells me to go away. What the hell?

I return to the department's main office. I am visibly aggrivated, but attempting to not be rude. I explain exactly what transpired in room 232. Immediately they launch into a defense of the department's actions and underhandedly try to get me to leave. "Well the department chair is in a meeting right now and we don't know when he'll be back." Again, I don't take a simple no for an answer, and when it becomes obvious that I will not simply walk away one of the secretaries consents to "text" the chair.

I feel that is important to note that during this whole process, the woman from 232 had called up to the dept to warn them that I was coming. How do I know? When a phone rang, one of the secretaires answered and her whole demeaner changed. She wouldn't speak in specifics and at the end of the conversation assured the caller by saying " *name witheld* it's going to be alright." Do these people think I'm going to pull out a goddamned gun and kill them all?

So suddenly the phone rings.

And I have class. More in another post.